I said last week that I would give this method a bit of a trial, see how I got on with it, and then report back for anyone who was interested. So here goes! . . . I would like to thank Javi for raising this topic, Tilt for his support, and others for whatever open-mindedness they showed. You are we...

Kantaka sutta, lists impediments to concentration such as sound paṭhamassa jhānassa saddo kaṇṭako It certainly can be an impediment, especially if one is trying to cultivate jhana; however, if one's concentration and mindfulness are strong, if one is an experienced practitioner, probably not so muc...

Thanks. What I really want to know perhaps is its legitimacy as a meditation object according to past teachers and traditions. You will get those who likely will say "no," for there is no textual support for it, but if you can pay attention to, be mindful of, a more or less constant sound, it may w...

However, what I do see as a problem is when someone sees their perspective as the only one, the only proper way and everyone else is wrong. Me too. Any expansion that is not in the suttas is thus seen as a corruption. There is an ultra vigilance to expunge anything that is not directly spelled out ...

This is also a very tiring thing for others, because if one wants to discuss certain meditation techniques, but then one is unable to do so because of the constant claims of "not-buddhist", "not sutta" one is liable to just shut up or go elsewhere. You can do whatever you want, meditate how you lik...

. . . Well said. I think that we can trace the issue here to the minimalistic presentations in the suttas and how different personalities seek to practice and adapt themselves to this. I see the two main approaches as: 1: The minimalistic statements are enough on their own, and one should just do w...

My comments were very literal, and there was no "suggestion" beyond what was stated... namely, that if you and others wish to discuss modern techniques in an environment where it's inappropriate for them to being challenged in terms of conformity with Pali scriptures, then let me know and we can tr...

Yes, I find the same type of disinclination to practice can arise at any time. I know what I have been advised to do by my teachers; it has worked for me many times before; and I know how it fits in with the suttas. But on occasion, when getting on to the cushion, the mind just doesn't want to know...

Greetings Tilt, Over the years here I have seen Burmese Vipassana styles of practice criticized variously much along the same lines as the Sunlun practice is being criticized in this thread, as not being in line with the suttas and commentaries. Yes, and whilst this remains a "General Theravāda Med...

... Yes, despite all of that it really does not change the fact that the preliminary exercise cultivates concentration and mindfulness that then can be easily applied to MN 118 or MN 10 types of practices. And interesting enough, in rereading these VM passages, one can experience that as the concen...

Interestingly, and in keeping with Theravadin tradition, Ven Sunlun was carefully evaluated and tested by learned Elders, finding that his teachings were very much inline with the suttas. I will take these learned monks learned opinions and assessments of Ven Sunlun over the less learned contrarian...

Greetings Tilt, Actually, the suttas and the commentaries do not support your position. And on this point we disagree. Your reference to venerable Dhammanando's quote may have applicability to the initial steps of anapanasati, but your attempt to use that as a broad brush dismissal of all the sutta...

Greetings Tilt, If it is feeble it is no less so than the arguments you and zom have proffered. Despite your protests, it is indeed much less. Zom and I have provided Sutta, Suttānuloma and Atthakathā. Advocates of the coarse breathing have provided mere Attanomati. Actually, the suttas and the com...

As pointed out above, Sunlun's instruction for heavy breathing is not an end in itself but merely a strategy to gain concentration not unlike counting the breath or using the mantra Buddho. If this does not count as anapanasati, then it would still be within Satipatthana, just like Mahasi's use of ...

Greetings Tilt, and mine opinion is that there is zero evidence that it contravenes good Dhamma practice. If that's the best Dhammic substantiation that can be provided for such curious huffing, then I guess I have little to respond to. If it is feeble it is no less so than the arguments you and zo...

Your criticism is grounded in opinion, but certainly not experience. Quite bold statement, don't you think? Possibly, but certainly less so than your dismissal of this practice. But, if you are really interested, from the perspective of personal experience I can say this: if you really want an effe...

Greetings Tilt, Quite to the contrary, it supports the instructions and objectives. "...but you have not shown it to be so." That's fine. I'm happy to regard it as your personal experience or as an article of faith on your part, but I dont intend to regard it as being in any way aligned to or compa...